TABLE 1—

Representative Approaches to a Comprehensive Classification Database System for the Public Health Workforce

Approach	Features	Implications for Public Health Workforce
Integration with Standard Occupational Classification System methodology	Institutionalized database system	Need for determining specific occupational titles and functional roles, nonduplication with other workforces
	Taxonomy by very specific occupational titles and functional roles	Inclusion of disciplines and categories can be consensus-based process
	Reliance on decennial census	Potential modification of Standard Occupational Classification System's decimal methodology
	Ineligibility if below “minimal” size of occupational title category	Timeliness of data needs improvement
Integration with Standard Occupational Classification System plus other complementary surveys	Same features as for methodology	More comprehensive approach
	Use of broad survey or study followed by more specific subset survey of title and responsibilities linked to public health	Crosswalk capability to other industry databases (i.e., public health being an industry)
		Potential timeliness and coordination issues related to multiple surveys or databases
		Broadened scope and depth to public health workforce categories
Case studies, smaller surveys	Smaller settings	More detailed or ancillary information capability in focused workforce settings
	Discrete focus on geography, job patterns, salaries, education, and so forth
	Increased utility for organizations and associations
Credentialing system	Credentialing mechanisms through licensing, certification, registration, core competencies, or equivalent	Credentialing is expanding in the public health field
	Individual disciplines may require credentialing renewal	Limitation may be associated with the multidisciplinary nature of the public health workforce
	Specific data repository and its management may be included	Future formalized continuing education may be promoted by this approach
		Related efforts by recent accreditation mechanism for public health agencies